Trick or Treat or Nothing Sweet

Snickers, Reese’s, M&M’s, Sour Patch Kids, and all kinds of sweets fill kid’s pillow cases to the brim every October 31st.  As they travel from door to door exclaiming “Trick or Treat!” their eyes glow as they examine candy givers bowls or wait for a piece of sugary goodness to be dropped in their hands.  However, some ghouls and gals are sorely disappointed when seeing that mixed among their lollipops and chocolates is a bright blue tube of Crest Kids Cavity Protecting Toothpaste.   Dental healthcare products included, there are a loads of less exciting, dispiriting Halloween goodies that many have had the pleasure of receiving one Hallows’ Eve or another. Several Sea Kings have actually been recipients of not only toothpaste but toothbrushes and floss.  Senior Anna Der was given all three and was laughing as she sorted through her candy stash. She jokes, “My reaction was that it was dumb. Like dum-dum.”  Senior Melissa Kulon’s treat giver took the tooth care merchandise to a whole new level.  Along with a package of tooth floss, she describes, “I was handed a packet on good teeth care explaining why candy contributes to cavities. I’m pretty sure I threw it away after.”  Though the educational merits of such a packet are valuable, it is not surprising she was less than thrilled. Other candy givers worried about the general well-being and health of their dressed up visitors,  Sophomore Matt Aldrete confesses, “Pretzels, all the freaking Pretzels, annoy me.”  This healthy snack many get is usually either salt covered or organic and often comes in bat and pumpkin shapes.  Along these lines are also chip bags with more air than chips and peanut packages.  This may not be as bad as a toothbrush kit, but kids are not out on the streets working their little feet, enduring the cold and windy night to come up with healthy snacks they would normally receive for a school nutrition snack.  Also in this category are raisins, light popcorn, granola bars, water bottles, vegetables, and all kinds of fruit ranging from bananas to oranges.  Senior Alyssa Haag laughs, “I received an apple one time.  Who gives an apple on Halloween?  I was scarred for life.” On a more sketchy side there are the hand wrapped or bagged little brownies and cookies that moms and dads will confiscate due to ominous news reports of razor blades and other bad surprises. Less popular candies are also unpleasant and end up sitting in trick or treat bags for months till someone throws them out.  Almond Joy and Mounds are some common treats that people try to trade off to the one person who actually likes the coconut bars.  Smarties also begin to taste too chalky to some and may upset stomachs after only a few pieces. Black Licorice as well is usually not a favorite with a very specific taste preference needed.Good and Plenty’s licorice flavored capsules too have the an odd taste in a different form. Another problem that kid’s face, besides bad flavors, is pointless, worthless plastic toys and objects.  There are Spider rings that kids will inevitably break, lose, or most likely throw away.  These are essentially a waste of the treat givers money and the receiver’s time.  People also pass out witch and monster themed pencils that are quite terrible to write with.  They can often come with matching erasers that typically make mistakes worse by smudging words all over the page.  Another weird item some get in their candy bags is spare change like pennies and nickels.  Though some cash is always nice it is hard to find anything worth one to five cents in this day and age.  In the interest of saving money kids even get coupons.  Discounts on amusement parks or zoos, movie theater tickets, food, and the like have all shown up in candy stashes.  Though offering miniscule benefits in regards to savings, they seem not so much in the Halloween spirit. In the big picture though, at least these people were generous enough to give out something whether it be less enthralling or tasty than a family pack of candy.    In the end it’s the thought that counts and the 4 pounds of chocolate, caramel, fruit candies, and peanut butter cups make up for the small percentage of goodies that are not so sweet.